Forget me not

Chapter 29

After everything was taken care of, I was healed, Elrohir was healed, and everyone knew about Elladan and that he had finally passed on, all was well. Inwe wed Haldir, which was just as well since she had to move on past Helas as much as I had to move past Elladan. I still missed him and spent a little of my time alone, talking to him, wondering if he could even hear me. I knew that he was in my heart and that he would one day return. I loved him dearly and that would never change.

However, there was someone else who took a lot of my time. Legolas came with me everywhere we went and became as much a lover as a friend to me. Inwe spent a lot of time with Haldir, but the moments she did not spend with him, she spent with me, or if I wanted to be alone, with Legolas. We found that he was a great listener and a wonderful friend.

Inwe and Haldir both came to talk to me at times, to make sure I was truly okay, and I found that they both spent quite a bit of time with Legolas, but I did not know why. It never occurred to me that there was anything to talk about other than what had happened in the past few weeks around here. It was not until I arrived early in the dining hall, unseen of course, and overheard them talking that I realized this was not purely innocent chat.

“I do not want to force her into something she does not want. Perhaps it is not as you thought. Perhaps it did not form a bond in… that way. Perhaps this bond is platonic.” Legolas was speaking to Inwe, it seemed she had found him today without Haldir being around.

“She needs time, that is true enough, but this bond, everyone can see it. I realize that you might not have wanted this, but I think that is not the case now.” Inwe soothed him, placing her hand on his arm. “I don’t know why she has not felt it in you. She has said nothing to me, perhaps the bond blocks the empathy, I don’t know.”

“I don’t want to bring it up when she clearly does not want to speak of this.”

“Does it mean that she does not want to speak of it simply because she doesn’t? Do you want to speak of this to her?”

“Yes—”

“Have you?”

“No, but—”

Inwe interrupted again, “So you see my point!”

Legolas sighed and looked away. “Inwe, I don’t know about this. I am afraid she will… I’m afraid it will… she might still be fragile. I do not want to hurt her.”

“Perhaps she cannot feel the love radiating off of you, dear Prince, because her own love for you mingles with it, and it does not feel any different.” Inwe provided a good point, and Legolas could not argue.

I paused there and leaned against the wall around the corner so they could not see me. I sighed and realized I had some thinking to do.

*****

I spent the day alone. I missed the meals only to go to the kitchen and have something quick on my own. I did not want to be bothered. I wanted to think.

I knew that Elladan gave me permission and blessing to do as I pleased, and he implied that Legolas was the elf I would end up with, but I didn’t really think anything beyond that. I did not think of myself being with Legolas. I did not think of kissing him or telling him that I loved him. I assumed that he knew, as I knew he felt strongly about me. Sometimes, I simply forgot about my empathic nature and assumed others felt the same as I did.

I knew that he was deeply in love with me, that we would be together, but I had not thought to do anything about it just yet. However, I realized that since my despair and pain were fading, this would be an appropriate time.

I returned to my room only to see Legolas sitting on the floor outside of it, playing with flowers in his hand. I cleared my throat and he got off the ground. “Merewen, I—”

I put my fingers to his lips and bent in to kiss them softly. He was taken aback and very nearly pulled away to question me, but I only kissed him again before he could say a word.

He held out the flowers, and I took them only to drop them on the floor. I led him into my room.

“Merewen, what are you—?” I kissed him again and finally pulled away.

“Legolas, I am sorry that I have not spoken to you of my feelings. Sometimes I assume they are known to all as I know everyone else’s. I love you. I have loved you since you began to care for me, since you brought me back you have created a bond, and it is not platonic.” I giggled as he realized that I obviously heard him earlier. “I love you.”

“Merewen… I do not want to rush you.” I laughed at him.

“Dear prince, as I see it, I am the one seducing you, what gave you the impression that I did not want this?” He smiled at me and followed me as I pulled him back onto my bed.